You're just wannabe All Blacks, insists Kiwi Prime Minister over England's new colours

England’s Rugby World Cup all-black kit has provoked a furious response from angry hosts in New Zealand, led by John Key, the prime minister.

He likened England to a ‘bunch of wannabes’ and added: ‘There’s only one team that wears black with pride and that’s the All Blacks.’

No fuss: All Blacks star McCaw (right) is refusing to allow England's change in colours to hinder preparations

Key was speaking after Sportsmail's exclusive that Martin Johnson’s team would be wearing a new change kit of all black in the opening pool match of the World Cup, against Argentina on September 10, in Dunedin.

Keith Quinn, the leading New Zealand rugby commentator, said: ‘Of all the colours in the rainbow, why would they choose the colour of the host nation? They are thumbing their noses at a New Zealand tradition. It’s bizarre.’

Kiwi captain Richie McCaw tried to distance himself from the controversy surrounding the Rugby Football Union’s decision to introduce the jersey. McCaw said the New Zealand rugby authorities could not stop other nations using the black colour.

‘It’s not something we can control — if we all get worried about it here then we’ve got ourselves in trouble,’ he added.

Iconic brand: New Zealand have made their all black kit world famous

England are set to unveil the black strip on August 1, five days before the first World Cup warm-up match against Wales at Twickenham.

A spokesman for the RFU said the England team would revert to the traditional white jersey for the two other warm-up games against Wales, in Cardiff, August 13, and against Ireland, in Dublin, August 27.

He said that England planned to use the black kit only in the first World Cup pool game against Argentina.

‘We should see the move as a compliment. As a country we believe in the power of the jersey, the power of the black, and maybe that is what England are trying to get their hands on,’ he said.

Grey area: England beat Australia at Twickenham last year in a dull strip - officially 'anthracite'

An RFU spokesperson said: ‘Like all countries, England are obliged by the Rugby World Cup participation agreement to have a change strip.

‘We have worked with Nike on producing a shirt that complies with Rugby World Cup and International Rugby Board regulations and, fully aware of the significance of a black shirt to New Zealand’s players and population as a whole.

'We have fully consulted with the New Zealand Rugby Union who confirmed they had no issues.

‘England will therefore wear the black change shirt against Argentina at the Otago Stadium in Dunedin on September 10 due to a clash with the light blue and white of the Pumas.’

Australia, the world No 2 side behind hosts New Zealand, have agreed a bonus pot which means each player in their 30-man squad will be on £110,000 to win the World Cup in Auckland in October.

Ex-Leeds director of rugby Andy Key might rejoin coaching colleague Neil Back at ambitious Rugby Lions. Key is considering an offer to join the National Midlands league team as chief executive following Back’s decision to sign up as head coach.

They worked together at Leeds, who were relegated from the Aviva Premiership.